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Jennifer Saunders has paid tribute to June Whitfield (Picture: Getty/BBC)

Jennifer Saunders has paid tribute to former co-star June Whitfield, after the actress died aged 93.

Whitfield played Saunders’ on-screen mother in Absolutely Fabulous for five series and a movie spin-off in 2016, alongside Joanna Lumley.

In a statement to Press Association, Saunders said: ‘It’s so tremendously sad to lose June. I will always be grateful that she agreed to be in Ab Fab and even more grateful that she became a dear friend.

She also starred in Doctor Who as Minnie Hooper in David Tennant’s final episode, and had a brief role in EastEnders as a nun in 2015.

Joanna Lumley paid tribute on ITV News, saying: ‘I am heartbroken to lose such a darling friend and shall never forget her sensational talent, humour and her generosity to us all who had the joy of working with her on Ab Fab.